Multimedia public communication services distribution method and apparatus with distribution of configuration files

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for distributing multimedia services. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting for receipt by at least one device a multimedia configuration file for configuring at least one device to present multimedia services to a user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for distributingcommunications services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pay telephones are common in the prior art. With the recent advent ofmultimedia, it is desirable to vend multimedia services at a multimediaapparatus, much in a similar way to the way in the which public payphone services are provided.

Public delivery of multimedia services such as electronic mail, Internetbrowsing and wayfinding have been attempted to date by placing apersonal computer in a secure box. This approach has largely failed dueto users being intimidated by personal computers, poor reliability ofpersonal computers, the lack of useful services typically found onpersonal computers and the large effort required to maintain suchcomputers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method ofdistributing multimedia services, the method comprising the step oftransmitting for receipt by at least one device a multimediaconfiguration file for configuring at least one device to presentmultimedia services to a user.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting for receipt bythe device or devices, a multimedia content file for providingmultimedia content for annunciation at that device or devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting for receipt bythe device or devices, a multimedia file from an internet provider, foruse at that device or devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of receiving, at a centralserver, at least one multimedia file from an internet provider andperforming the step of transmitting at the central server.

Preferably, the method includes the step of maintaining a database ofdatabase files including configuration files for various deviceconfigurations.

Preferably, the method includes the step of maintaining a database ofcontent files for providing content for annunciation at the device ordevices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting the file to thedevice or devices, by a private network.

Preferably, the method includes the step of maintaining in the databaseat least one of:

a) hypertext markup language pages for interacting with a browser at thedevice or devices;

b) programs for execution by the device or devices;

c) local credit card information for validating credit cards used at thedevice or devices;

d) billing information files relating to services rendered at the deviceor devices; and

e) statistics files relating to services rendered at the device ordevices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of including advertisingcontent in the content files.

Preferably, the method includes the step of defining respective pipesfor communicating hypertext markup language (HTML) files and programfiles, configuration and content files, and request and reply messagesrespectively to and from the device.

Preferably, the method includes the step of receiving the requestmessages and transmitting the reply messages at a transaction server atthe central server, the transaction server being in communication withthe database.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting theconfiguration and content files from a file server at the centralserver, the file server being in communication with the database.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting the HTML pagesand programs from a web server at the central server, the web serverbeing in communication with the database.

Preferably, the method includes the step of placing the transactionserver in communication with a rating system and a credit card service.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for distributing multimedia services, the apparatus comprisinga transmitter for transmitting for receipt by the device or devices, amultimedia configuration file for configuring at least one device topresent multimedia services to a user.

Preferably, the transmitter is operable to transmit for receipt by atleast one device a multimedia content file for providing multimediacontent for annunciation at that device or devices.

Preferably, the transmitter is operable to transmit for receipt by atleast one device, a multimedia file from an internet provider, for useat that device or devices.

Preferably, the transmitter is operable to transmit for receipt by atleast one device, a multimedia file from an internet provider, for useat that device or devices.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a receiver for receiving at least onemultimedia file from an internet provider and for providing themultimedia file to the transmitter for transmission to the device ordevices.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a database of database filesincluding configuration files for various device configurations, and adatabase of content files for providing content for annunciation at thedevice or devices.

Preferably, the database of content files includes at least one of:

a) hypertext markup language pages for interacting with a browser at thedevice or devices;

b) programs for execution by the device or devices;

c) local credit card information for validating credit cards used at thedevice or devices;

d) billing information files relating to services rendered at the deviceor devices; and

e) statistics files relating to services rendered at the device ordevices.

Preferably, the apparatus includes respective pipes for communicatinghypertext markup language tiles and program files, configuration andcontent files, and request and reply messages respectively to and fromthe device.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a transaction server in communicationwith the database for receiving the request messages and fortransmitting the reply messages.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a file server in communication withthe database for transmitting the configuration and content files.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a web server in communication withthe database for transmitting the HTML pages and programs to the deviceor devices.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a rating system and a credit cardservice in communication with the transaction server for receivingbilling rate information and credit card information for use by thedevice or devices.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a private network, the transmitterand the device or devices being connected to the private network.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof providing multimedia services at a multimedia terminal, the methodcomprising the steps of:

a) receiving a configuration file for configuring the multimediaterminal to provide multimedia services; and

b) configuring the multimedia terminal according to the configurationfile.

Preferably, the method includes the step of receiving a content file forproviding content for annunciation at the multimedia terminal.

Preferably, the method includes the step of producing a display image atthe multimedia terminal in response to the content file.

Preferably, the method includes the step of automatically producing adisplay image at the multimedia terminal when the multimedia terminal isnot in use.

Preferably, the method includes the step of automatically producing adisplay image at the multimedia terminal when a telephone on themultimedia terminal is in use.

Preferably, the method includes the step of making a web browseravailable to a user, the web browser being operable to transmit uniformresource locators to a web server located remotely of the multimediaterminal, in response to user selection made at the multimedia terminaland receiving at least one HTML page from the web server in response tothe uniform resource locator and producing a display in response to theHTML page.

Preferably, the method includes the step of producing a display image atthe multimedia terminal in response to the content file during an accesstime between transmission of the uniform resource locator and producingthe display in response to the HTML page.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus comprising a multimedia terminal having a receiver forreceiving a configuration file for configuring the multimedia terminalto provide multimedia services and a processor for configuring themultimedia terminal according to the configuration file.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a configuration program forconfiguring the multimedia terminal according to the configuration file.

Preferably, the receiver is operable to receive a content file forproviding content for annunciation at the multimedia terminal.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a display image program for producinga display image at the multimedia terminal in response to the contentfile.

Preferably, the apparatus includes an idle program for automaticallyproducing a display image at the multimedia terminal when the multimediaterminal is not in use.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a web browser operable to transmituniform resource locators to a web server located remotely of the deviceor devices, in response to user selection made at the multimediaterminal and for receiving at least one HTML page from the web server inresponse to the uniform resource locator and producing a display inresponse to the HTML page.

Preferably, the idle program is operable to produce a display image atthe multimedia terminal in response to the content file during an accesstime between transmission of the uniform resource locator and productionof a display in response to the HTML page.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a telephone on the multimediaterminal.

Preferably, the content file includes a display file and the multimediaterminal includes a telephone idle program for automatically producing adisplay image from the display file, at the multimedia terminal, whenthe telephone is in use.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof distributing multimedia services, the method comprising the steps of:

a) transmitting from a transmitter to at least one device a multimediaconfiguration file for configuring that device or devices to presentmultimedia services to a user;

b) receiving the configuration file at the device or devices; and

c) configuring the multimedia terminal according to the configurationfile.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting theconfiguration file on a private network, to the device or devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting a database filefrom at least one of a plurality of computers on the private network tothe transmitter, for transmission to the device or devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting theconfiguration file from at least one of the computers to thetransmitter, for transmission to the device or devices.

Preferably, the method includes the step of transmitting a multimediacontent file from the computer or computers to the transmitter fortransmission to the device or devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anapparatus for distributing multimedia services, the apparatus comprisinga transmitter for transmitting a multimedia configuration file and amultimedia terminal having a receiver for receiving the configurationfile from the transmitter, and a processor for configuring themultimedia terminal according to the configuration file.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a private network in communicationwith the transmitter and the receiver for communicating messages betweenthe transmitter and the receiver.

Preferably, the private network includes a plurality of computers incommunication with each other, with at least one of the computers havingthe transmitter.

Preferably, at least one of the computers has database files, andpreferably, at least one of the database files is operable to betransmitted to the transmitter for transmission to the multimediaterminal.

Preferably, at least one of the computers has the configuration file andpreferably, that computer or computers transmits the configuration fileto the transmitter for transmission to the multimedia terminal.

Preferably, at least one of the computers has a multimedia content fileand preferably, that computer or computers transmits the multimediacontent file to the transmitter for transmission to the device ordevices.

Instead of scaling down a personal computer into a public device, theapparatus according to the invention, includes a stand-alone multimediaapparatus capable of providing both multimedia and telephone services ina single unit. By equipping a stand-alone multimedia apparatus with acoloured touchscreen, stereo sound, keyboard, telephone handset/keypadand card reader, the multimedia apparatus is compact. The pay phoneportion of the multimedia apparatus includes a telephony interface withon-board processor which communicates with the main control processorwhich controls the operation of the various peripherals of the payphone. The pay phone configuration is downloadable from a centrallocation through a modem link. The multimedia applications are linked tothe pay phone control processor through another link. Administration ofthe multimedia apparatus is highly optimized by having it fullynetworked by a high bandwidth intranet allowing remote administration,central storage of applications and services, and centralized monitoringof the apparatus or apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus according to afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network to which the apparatus ofFIG. 1 is connected;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a central server according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit according to a firstembodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a computer architecture employed in theapparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of programs in the apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a message interpreter according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a service request program according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a service record according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a service usage request program according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a service usage recordaccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a usage timer task program according to thefirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a pre-pay card task according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a telephone program according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a telephone advertising program according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a load content HTML page program according tothe first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a card clearing task program according to thefirst embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an idle terminal program according to thefirst embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for vending public communicationsservices, according to a first embodiment of the invention is showngenerally at 10. The apparatus includes a public communications servicesKiosk apparatus having a base 12 in which is mounted a computer 14, adisplay 16 and a keyboard 18, together acting as a multimedia terminal19. The base 12 also has a telephone mounted thereon, the telephonebeing shown generally at 20.

The telephone 20 is in communication with a public telephone network 22via a central office telephone line 24 equipped with an answersupervision feature. The telephone includes a microphone 21 and atelephone receiver 23, the telephone receiver being operable tocommunicate audio signals to a user.

The computer 14 is connected to a central server 26 by a communicationsline 28 which may include an Ethernet 10 base T connection. Also mountedon the base 12 is a credit card reader 30, a printer 31 and a telephonedial pad 33. Also mounted on the base are physical scroll actuatorsshown generally at 32, which are in communication with the computer 14for directing the computer 14 to effect functions associated with thedisplay 16. The physical scroll actuators include left, right, up anddown actuators 35, 37, 39 and 41 for receiving user input for scrollinginformation displayed by the display left, right, up and downrespectively, line by line or page by page.

Also secured to the base are left and right stereo speakers 43 and 45for communicating audio signals to a user, in connection with multimediaservices provided at the multimedia terminal. A common volume control 47common to the telephone receiver 23 and the speakers 43 and 45 includesfirst and second actuator buttons mounted on the base 12 for selectivelycontrolling the volume of signals produced by the telephone receiver 23or the speakers 43 and 45, depending upon which of the telephone andmultimedia terminal 19 is in use by a user.

The keyboard has semi-transparent keys and a low power light sourcemounted thereunder selectively operable to be turned on and off.

Generally, the computer 14 controls all operations of components mountedon the base 12, including the telephone 20 and multimedia terminal 19.

FIG. 2

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of the connection of thecomputer 14, shown in FIG. 1 to the central server 26 is shown generallyat 34.

In this embodiment, the public communications services Kiosk apparatus10 is one of a plurality 36 of kiosk apparatus connected to an intranet38 private network on the communications line 28 in communication withthe central server 26. A plurality 27 of vendor servers are alsoconnected to the intranet 38, for communication with the central server26. The central server 26 is further in communication with the Internet40 to which a plurality of further vendor servers 42 and contentproviders 49 are connected. Thus, the vendor servers 27 are incommunication with the central server 26, and the central server 26 isin communication with the kiosk apparatus 36.

FIG. 3

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the central server is showngenerally at 26. The central server includes an internet gatewayinterface 44, a web server interface 46, a file server interface 48, atransaction server interface 50, an automated services interface 52, aterminal monitoring interface 54, a reporting interface 56, a terminalconfiguration interface 58, a content manager interface 60 and adatabase 62.

The internet gateway interface 44 provides a high speed dedicated highbandwidth connection such as a T1 connection to the Internet 40, forreceiving HTML pages or at least one multimedia file from an Internetprovider and for providing uniform resource locators (URLs) to vendorservers (42) and content providers (43) connected to the Internet 40.

The Internet gateway interface 44 is also in communication with the webserver interface 46 which is in communication with the database 62 andis in communication with the kiosk terminals 36 by way of an HTML/appletpipe 64. The web server interface 46 is thus able to transmit HTML pagesand applet programs to the kiosk apparatus 36 by way of the HTML/appletpipe 64. In addition, the web server interface 46 is operable to providecontent files from the database 62 to the Kiosk apparatus 36 through theHTML/applet pipe 64. Effectively, the web server determines the type ofcontent requested by a apparatus and extracts the requested files fromthe database 62 or the Internet 40 and transmits the requested files tothe public communications services Kiosk apparatus.

The file server interface 48 is also in communication with the database62 and with Kiosk apparatus 36. Communication with the apparatus isconducted by way of a configuration and content file pipe 66 by way ofwhich configuration and content files obtained from the database 62 aretransmitted by the file server interface 48 to the kiosk apparatus 36.

The transaction server interface 50 is further in communication with thedatabase 62 and with the kiosk apparatus 36. Communication between thetransaction server and the kiosk apparatus 36 is provided by arequest/reply pipe 68. The transaction server is thus able to receiverequest messages from the kiosk apparatus 36, interpret such requests,and transmit suitable replies on the request/reply pipe 68. Thetransaction server is further in communication with a credit cardservice 70 such as Bank of Montreal and is further in communication withat least one rating system 72 which, in this embodiment, includes MORRIS(trademark) offered by Bell-Canada. The transaction server interface 50communicates with the credit card service 70 by transferring validationsand billings. Validations include requests from the transaction serverinterface 50 for card validation to authorize charges to appear on acard and include the transfer of billing information, such as amountsand card numbers to which charges are to be applied by the credit cardservice 70.

The transaction server interface 50 also communicates with the creditcard service to store files in the data base, relating to local cardclearing information. The transaction server interface 50 communicatesrate requests and receives replies from the rating system 72, inrelation to telephone billing rates, commercial services rates, etc.Rate requests are made by the transaction server to the rating system 72and the rating system 72 replies with the requested rates. Such ratesare then provided to the kiosk apparatus 36 by way of the request replypipe 68.

The automated services interface 52 is in communication with thedatabase 62, a billing system 74 and a backup system 76. The automatedservices interface 52 provides billing records to the database 62 and tooff-premises billing systems 74 and further provides data relating tothe contents of the database 62 to backup systems 76.

The terminal monitoring interface 54, reporting interface 56, terminalconfiguration interface 58 and content manager interface 60 are all incommunication with an administrative staff terminal 78 whichadministrative staff use to configure the central server 26 and monitorits functions. The terminal monitoring interface 54 effectively providesto the administrative staff terminal 78 a typical control room interfaceand maintains a monitor of alarms associated with various functions ofthe central server, for example, loss of communication to any one of thekiosk apparatus 36. The terminal monitoring interface 54 maintains analarm table in the data base 62.

The reporting interface 56 monitors transactions between the centralserver and the database to accumulate statistics regarding the amount ofmoney made by each kiosk apparatus 36 and the number of times particularservices are used etc. The reporting interface 56 thus storesstatistical files and usage rate files in the data base 62.

The terminal configuration interface 58 is used to receive operationalinformation from operators, such as timeout numbers, screen information,etc., serial number of units, service records including serviceidentifications, service types and service rates etc. and stores suchinformation in the database 62 as configuration files which identify howa apparatus is to be configured to present multimedia services to auser.

The content manager interface 60 receives advertising and informationregarding user interface buttons, from the administrative staff terminal78. The content manager interface 60 stores such information asadvertising content files, HTML pages and applets in the database 62.

The database 62 thus includes configuration files for configuringapparatus 36 to present multimedia services to a user, billing records,advertising or multimedia content files for providing multimedia contentto the apparatus, statistical information relating to services rendered,HTML pages and multimedia files received from an Internet provider foruse at the apparatus, applets for execution at the apparatus, usagerates, an alarm table, and local credit card information for validatingcredit cards used at the apparatus.

Each of the interfaces of the central server 26 includes respectiveprogram steps for directing a computer within the central server toperform the indicated interface functions.

The central server may be formed as a single computer or may be formedover a distributed network. In general, such a single computer ordistributed network acts as a transmitter for transmitting for receiptby at least one public communications services Kiosk apparatus 36, overa private network, a multimedia configuration file for configuring theapparatus to present multimedia services to a user. Such transmitteralso transmits multimedia content files of actual multimedia contentavailable to users at the public communications services Kioskapparatus.

FIG. 4

Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the kiosk apparatus computer 14is shown. The kiosk apparatus effectively includes a multimedia terminal19 and a telephone 20.

The multimedia terminal portion includes a microprocessor 82 incommunication with non-volatile memory 84, volatile memory 86 and an I/Oport 88. The I/O port is in communication with display 16 which includesa video display 92 and a touchscreen 94, each individually incommunication with the I/O port 88. In this embodiment, the display andtouchscreen are integrated into a single unit approximately 10 to 12inches diagonal and has an adjustable viewing cone for public andprivate usage applications.

The I/O port is further in communication with the card reader 30, theprinter 31, the keyboard 18 and a speaker driver 25 for driving thespeakers 43 and 45. The I/O port also has first and secondcommunications ports 100 and 102, the first communications port 100being connected to an Ethernet interface 104 which is connected to theintranet via a high speed connection such as an ISDN line and isoperable to signal to the microprocessor through the I/O port anindication of whether or not a message has been received and whether ornot a complete transmission of a file has been received.

The second communications port 102 is connected to a pay phone interfacewhich is connected to the central office line 24. Also, connected to thepay phone interface, are the telephone dial pad 33 and a handset 108 onwhich is mounted the microphone 21 and receiver 23.

In effect, the microprocessor 82 is in communication with the display16, the card reader 30, the printer 31, the keyboard 18 and the speakerdriver 25, the Ethernet interface 104 and the pay phone interface 106via the I/O port 88. The keyboard has transparent keys and a lightadjacent the keys for selectively lighting the keys to indicate a userresponse is to be entered at the keys. After a user response has beenentered, the light is turned off. The light is controlled by anyapplication program running at the apparatus.

The pay phone interface is operable to pick up and drop the centraloffice line and includes a sensor 101 to indicate to the secondcommunications port 102, whether or not the central office line is inuse by the pay phone interface 106.

The volatile memory 86 is organized by the microprocessor 82 to includea plurality of buffers including:

an HTML buffer 110, a received message buffer 112, a transmit messagebuffer 114, a card data buffer 116, a telephone number list 118, acurrent service record buffer 120, an exit service buffer 122, a remotedata request by service buffer 124, a display buffer 126 and a thresholddata rate buffer 128. The non-volatile memory 84 is organized by themicroprocessor 82 to include a plurality of buffers for storing aconfiguration file 212, a content file 130, an idle terminal program320, a telephone advertising program 350, a web browser program 168, acard purchase program 400, a usage timer 260, a billing program 160, amessage interpretation program 203, a service request program 216 and amain program 202.

FIG. 5

Referring to FIG. 5, the architecture of the multimedia apparatus isshown generally at 150. The architecture includes the components shownin FIG. 4 in a hardware layer 152 thereof.

The architecture further includes an operating system 154. The operatingsystem in this embodiment, is of the type provided by Microware, knownas OS/9 (trademark). The properties of this operating systems are thatit has high recoverability, it is suitable for real time operation, ithas compatibility with the indicated hardware devices, it has built-infault recovery, and it is well supported by the microprocessor. Inaddition, this operating system is licensed to interact with the JAVA(trademark) programming language.

The architecture further includes a JAVA virtual machine 156 whichallows programs to run without recompiling. JAVA also provides an easyhigh level interface and has a convenient class library which givesprogrammers a convenient application programmatic interface (API) set.

The architecture further includes a core program layer 158 includingbilling programs 160, hardware drivers 162 and administration software164, and pay telephony programs 165.

The core program base looks after such features as maintenance such asnotifying the central server of a time to load more paper into theprinter, provides a user interface, manages network connectivity anddownload features for downloading files from the central server and forproviding pay phone functionality.

The architecture 150 further includes a virtual machine 166 whichincludes a custom web browser 168 and an audio video player 170. Thecustom web browser 168 provides an interface between the user and themultimedia terminal and the audio video player provides visual images onthe display 16 and audio/sound bytes on the speakers for advertising,for example.

The architecture further includes an application layer shown generallyat 172 including a messaging services application 174, a vertical marketapplication 176, an electronic commerce application 178 and anentertainment application 180. The messaging services application 174includes features such as e-mail, voice e-mail and fax. The verticalmarket application 176 includes government services and banking. Theelectronic commerce application 178 includes ticket sales and virtualmall displays. The entertainment application 180 includes Internetbrowsing capabilities, gaming, chat rooms and newsclips.

FIG. 6

Referring to FIG. 6, a chart of high level programs stored in thenon-volatile memory 84 is shown generally at 200. Each of the programslisted in the chart is associated with the core program layer 158 shownin FIG. 5, with the exception of the custom web browser 168 which isassociated with the virtual machine 166 of FIG. 5, and the verticalmarket 176, messaging services 174, electronic commerce 178 andentertainment 180 applications modules shown in FIG. 5.

The programs include a main program 202 which the apparatus runs in thebackground. In response to an interrupt received at the firstcommunications port 100 in FIG. 4, a message interpreter program 203 isinvoked.

FIG. 7

Message Interpreter

Referring to FIG. 7, the message interpreter 203 includes a block 204which directs the microprocessor 82 shown in FIG. 4 to read the I/O port88 to determine whether or not the receive message buffer 112 is loaded.If not, the microprocessor is directed to continue to test the I/O port88 to determine when the buffer is loaded. If the buffer is not loadedwithin a timeout period, the microprocessor 82 is returned to the mainprogram 202 shown in FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIG. 7, if the receive message buffer is loaded, block208 directs the microprocessor 82 to determine the type of messagereceived. If the message is of a configuration type, it indicates that aconfiguration file has been downloaded from the central server. Theconfiguration file includes information relating to rates, advertising,content, and local card clearing information. Block 210 directs theprocessor to load this information into non-volatile memory 84 shown inFIG. 4. Thus, a configuration file 212 is stored in the non-volatilememory 84.

Upon completion of storing the configuration file, the microprocessor 82is returned to the main program 202 shown in FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIG. 7, if the message type read by the microprocessor82 at block 208 is of the non-configuration type, block 214 directs themicroprocessor 82 to return to the calling program, which in thisembodiment, is the main program 202.

Service Selection

Referring back to FIG. 6, if a user makes a service request, to useeither a multimedia service or a telephone service offered by theapparatus, a service request program 216, shown in FIG. 8 is invoked. Aservice request for use of the pay telephone is provided by a user bysimply lifting the handset 108 shown in FIG. 4, whereupon the sensor 101detects connection to the central office line and provides a signal overthe second communications port 102 to the I/O port to indicate to themicroprocessor 82 that a request to use the telephone has been made.

On the other hand, pressing any key on the keyboard will be interpretedby the microprocessor 82 as a request for multimedia services.

Referring to FIG. 8, upon selection of a service by a user, a codeindicating the type of service, telephone or multimedia, is produced,depending upon the state of the handset and whether or not a key on thekeyboard has been actuated. Block 218 directs the processor to storethis code as a type code to indicate whether telephone services ormultimedia services have been requested. Block 220 then directs themicroprocessor 82 to a telephone branch 222 or to a multimedia branch224 specified by the service type Code stored at block 218.

If the user has requested a multimedia service, block 228 directs themicroprocessor to cause to be displayed on the display 92, a menu ofavailable multimedia services and to wait for a user selection of adesired service. The user does this by pressing on the touch screen 94whereupon a message indicating the area of the touch screen touched, isprovided to the microprocessor. The microprocessor interprets themessage as an indication of the user's selection and on reference to alookup table (not shown), an identification code for the selectedservice is obtained. The microprocessor 82 then augments the initialcode previously stored in connection with the service request program(at Block 218 in FIG. 8) to produce a service identification code toindicate the specific multimedia service requested. If the user hadselected to use the telephone, a service identification code associatedwith the telephone service is produced. Thus, a service identificationcode is produced to indicate the type of service requested by the user.

Block 230 then uses the service identification code to lookup a servicerecord stored in non-volatile memory.

FIG. 9

Service record

Referring to FIG. 9, a service record 231 includes a serviceidentification field 233, a service type field 235 and a service ratefield 237. The contents of these fields are provided from theconfiguration file received from the central server. Generally, theservice record relates service identifications with service types andassociated service rates. The service record associated with the serviceidentification specified by the user is retrieved from memory and storedin a current service record buffer in volatile memory.

Referring back to FIG. 8, block 232 directs the microprocessor 82 tolaunch the service specified by the contents of the serviceidentification field 233 and at the same time to launch a correspondingservice usage task associated with the requested service.

To launch one of the multimedia services, a web browser application,virtual market interface application, messaging service application orelectronic commerce application is loaded and run, depending upon theservice requested by the user. Alternatively, if the user has requestedtelephone service, a telephone application is launched. It will beappreciated that more than one application can be launched at a timeand, therefore, it is possible for the user to simultaneously usetelephone services and multimedia services at the same time.

FIGS. 10 and 11

Referring to FIG. 10, the corresponding service usage task begins withblock 236 which directs the processor to produce a service usage recordas shown in FIG. 11. The service usage record includes a transactionidentification field 240, a service identification field 242, adate/time field 244, a duration field 246, a charge field 248, a paymentmethod field 250 and a card number field 252. Initially, the contents ofeach of these fields is zero, however, after the blank record has beencreated, the transaction identification field is loaded with a uniquereference number to uniquely identify the transaction, the serviceidentification field is loaded with the service identification of theservice record shown in FIG. 9, the date and time field 244 is loadedwith the date and time of the current transaction, and the duration,charge payment method and card number fields 246-252 are left blank.

Referring back to FIG. 10, block 254 directs the processor to present aprompt on the display 92 to request the user to indicate the preferredpayment method, if applicable. The use of some services may be free and,if so, the payment method block 254 will receive a code from thelaunched service indicating that such service is free. In this event,the service usage record 238 is unchanged at this point. If, on theother hand, the user inserts a credit card, the card reader presents tothe microprocessor a code indicating that a credit card has beeninserted in which case, the payment method is selected as post-pay.Alternatively, if the user inserts a debit-type card, a code indicatinga pre-payment method is presented by the card reader to themicroprocessor such that at block 254, the microprocessor interprets thepreferred method of payment as pre-pay.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the case where the user has selected thepost-pay payment method, card number information relating to the card towhich charges are to be applied is stored in the card number field 252and the payment method field 250 is loaded with a code indicatingpost-payment method. The duration and charge fields 246 and 248 are leftblank.

Referring to FIG. 10, block 258 then directs the processor to launch ausage timer task associated with the service.

FIG. 12

Referring to FIG. 12, the usage timer task is shown generally at 260 inFIG. 12 and begins with a first block 262 which directs the processor tostart a timer for cumulatively recording the time during which thocorresponding service is in operation. Thus, there is a first timerwhich is enable in response to a request for access to at least onemultimedia service at the public communications service vendingapparatus. In this embodiment, the timer counts seconds.

It should be noted that a usage timer task is launched in associationwith each service requested by the user. Therefore, there are aplurality of timers associated with the multimedia servicesrespectively, for simultaneously cumulatively recording times duringwhich respective multimedia services are in operation and furthermore,such timers are enabled in response to respective requests for access torespective services.

Block 264 then directs the processor to determine which payment methodhas been selected by the user and if the free payment method has beenselected, the processor is directed to block 266 which determineswhether or not the user has pressed an exit button on the touchscreenindicating the service is to be ended. If so, block 268 directs theusage timer to stop and the usage timer task is ended. If the user hasnot quit the service, as detected at block 266, the processor isdirected back to block 262 which continues the operation of the usagetimer and the above process is repeated.

If the user has requested the post-payment method, block 270 directs theprocessor to determine whether or not the service has requested datafrom the remote server. If it has not, blocks 266, 262, 264 and 270 arerepeated until data is requested.

When data is requested, block 274 directs the microprocessor 82 to readthe first communications port 100 to determine whether or not a completeresponse has been received. It will be appreciated that the data requestmay require the transfer from the central server to the apparatus of arather large file which may take some time to receive.

If a complete response has been received, blocks 266, 262, 264, 270 and274 are repeated until a situation exists where a request for data hasbeen sent to the remote service, but a complete response has not yetbeen received. In this situation, block 276 directs the processor todetermine a data receive rate at which data is received by observing thenumber of blocks of data received each second. The processor thus actsas a data receive rate measurement device.

After calculating the data receive rate, block 278 directs the processorto compare the receive data rate with a predefined threshold rate storedin non-volatile memory. If the data receive rate is at or above thepredefined threshold rate, the processor is directed to block 279 wherethe usage timer is re-enabled if it had been previously disabled or issimply left running if it already was running. The processor is thendirected back to block 274, whereupon the receive data rate iscontinually determined and tested against the threshold rate unless thedata arrives at a rate below the threshold rate in which case block 280directs the processor to disable the usage timer started at block 262,but maintain its current value and to return to block 274 which againcalculates the data arrival rate and compares it against the thresholdrate, etc. Thus, the effect of blocks 274-280 is to disable or pause theusage timer when data is received at a rate leas than the predefinedthreshold data rate value and to re-enable or maintain the operation ofthe usage timer when data arrives at or above, that is exceeds thepredefined threshold rate, until the complete response has beenreceived.

Thus, the usage timer cumulatively records the time during which theassociated multi-media service is in operation and maintains therecording of such time while data is received at the apparatus at a ratewithin a first range ie., above the threshold rate and suspends therecording of time associated with the service when data is received at arate within a second range, ie., below the threshold rate.

If at block 264, the processor determines that the payment method was apre-pay method, block 282 directs the processor to launch a pre-pay cardtask.

FIG. 13

Referring to FIG. 13, the pre-pay card task is shown generally at 282.This task begins with Block 284 which directs the processor to debit theuser's debit card by a predetermined amount corresponding to a pre-paytime increment, which, in this embodiment, is one minute.

Block 286 then directs the processor to start or reset a pre-pay timerimplemented by the processor. The pre-pay timer is operable to calculatetime in minutes

Block 288 then directs the processor to determine whether or not theusage timer to which reference was made in FIG. 12 at block 262, isrunning.

If the usage timer is not running, block 290 directs the processor todisable or pause the pre-pay timer. The pre-pay card task then ismaintained in a loop comprised of blocks 288 and 290 until the usagetimer (of FIG. 12) is re-enabled. When the usage timer is re-enabled,block 292 directs the processor to re-enable the pre-pay timer. Block294 then directs the processor to determine whether or not the user hasrequested to exit the service and if so, the pre-pay card task isexited.

If the user has not requested to exit the service, block 296 directs theprocessor to determine whether or not the pre-pay period has expired. Ifthe pre-pay period has not expired, the processor is directed back toblock 288 and the above steps beginning at block 288 are repeated.

It on the other hand at block 296, the pre-pay period has expired, theprocessor is returned to block 284 which again debits the user's smartcard by a predefined amount corresponding to the pre-paid timeincrement.

Referring back to FIG. 10, after launching the usage timer task and thepre-pay card task, if necessary, block 298 directs the processor todetermine whether or not the service has ended. If the service hasended, block 300 directs the processor to apply the service rate storedin the service rate field 237 of the service record 231 shown in FIG. 9,to the usage timer value stored in the duration field 246 of the serviceusage record shown in FIG. 11, to calculate the contents of the chargefield 248. If the service has not ended, block 298 directs the processorto continue to wait until it has ended.

The processor is then directed to block 302 which directs the processorto submit the service usage record 238 to the central server bytransmitting it on the intranet. The processor is then directed to block304 which directs the processor to determine whether or not the user hasrequested the pre-payment or post-payment method in which case theprocessor is directed to block 306 which causes the microprocessor 82 toprint a receipt at the receipt printer 31. If the user has requested afree service, the service usage task is ended.

The service usage task, therefore also, acts as a billing programoperable to direct the processor to identify each service requested bythe user and a charge amount associated with each service, the chargeamount being calculated from rate information associated with theservice and the time indicated by the first timer associated with theservice. More generally, the service usage task program acts as abilling program for directing the microprocessor to produce a bill forservices rendered by the multimedia terminal and for usage of thetelephone.

It will be appreciated that at block 302, on submission of the usagerecord to the data base at the central server, the statistical files inthe database may be updated to reflect usage of the service.

Referring back to FIG. 8, if at block 220 the microprocessor 82determines that the user had requested use of the telephone, blocks 230and 232 are executed as described above, only instead of a multimediaservice being launched, a telephone service program is launched.

FIG. 14

Referring to FIG. 14, the telephone service program is shown generallyat 348. This program begins with block 350 which launches a telephoneadvertising program shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 15

Referring to FIG. 15, the telephone advertising program is showngenerally at 350. The program begins with block 354 which directs theprocessor to read the second communications port 102 to determinewhether or not the pay phone interface 106 indicates that the centraloffice line is offhook. If the central office line is not offhook, thetelephone advertising program is ended and the telephone program isended.

If, on the other hand, at block 354 the central office line is offhook,block 356 directs the processor to retrieve a content file 130 from thenon-volatile memory 84 to obtain display advertising content. Suchcontent is loaded into the display buffer and the processor is directedto block 358 which directs the processor to run a display advertisingprogram to cause advertising to be displayed on the display 92 while thetelephone is in use.

Referring back to FIG. 14, upon launching the telephone advertisingprogram, block 352 launches a conventional telephone routine program.

The conventional telephone routines include routines which receivevisual information and drivers contained within the core program layer158 serve to take control of, at least, a portion of the display 92 toprovide various pay telephone options to the user. Thus, the multimediaapparatus is used to display options for pay telephone usage. Inaddition, further drivers allow the user to enter answers to optionspresented on the display, using the keyboard to enter user names,calling card numbers, etc. In response to such input received from auser, certain functionality of the pay phone is rendered operational.Thus, the multimedia apparatus is operable to display and receiveinformation relating to the operation of the pay telephone.

Applications

Referring back to FIG. 6, the apparatus also includes an idle terminalprogram shown generally at 320. This program is run when no messageshave been received and no service requests have been made, ie. theapparatus is idle.

Referring to FIG. 18, the idle terminal program begins with block 325which directs the processor to retrieve a content file from thenon-volatile memory. The content file includes multimedia display andsound information for displaying and annunciating advertising while theapparatus is idle or, in other words, not in operation by the user. Suchadvertising may be used to attract users to the apparatus or to simplyexpose users to advertising. After retrieving such advertisinginformation, a display image program to cause the display 92 andspeakers to be driven by graphics files and sound byte filesaccordingly. Thus, the idle terminal program acts as an idle program forautomatically producing a display image at the public communicationsservices Kiosk when the public communications services Kiosk is not inuse. In addition, the display program acts as a display image programfor producing a display image at the public communications servicesKiosk apparatus in response to the contents of the content file.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the applications programs including themessaging services, vertical market, electronic commerce andentertainment programs, retrieve is from the content file, HTML pageswhich interact with the custom web browser 168 in the virtual machinelayer of the apparatus architecture. Effectively therefore, contentproviders associated with these applications, are able to submit HTMLpages to the administrative staff terminal 78 shown in FIG. 3 forinclusion by the content manager interface 60 in content files stored inthe database 62. The administrative staff terminal 78 then directs theterminal configuration interface 58 to make a notation in aconfiguration file, identifying content files which are to be madeavailable to users and the configuration file and content files are sentto Kiosk apparatus 36 by the file server interface 48.

At the apparatus receiving such files, when a multimedia service islaunched, effectively the content files specified by the configurationfile are made available to the web browser as HTML pages. By receivingcontent from content providers in the HTML page format, a relativelystandard, uniform interface for receiving such information is providedrendering the apparatus extremely functional with an open architecture.

Generally, HTML pages, in this embodiment, are designed to cooperatewith a physical screen size of 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. Inaddition, each HTML page is intended to be compatible with NETSCAPENAVIGATOR 3.01 (Trademark) upon which the custom web browser 168 shownin FIG. 6 is based. The browser, however, is customized in that it isprogrammed to respond to non-conventional HTML commands including aKiosk:print command, a Kiosk:quit command, a Kiosk:phone command, aKiosk:help command and a Kiosk:card command. In addition, the webbrowser is customized to be responsive to JAVA and JAVASCRIPT(trademark).

In this embodiment, the HTML pages provided by content providers aredesigned to define virtual buttons on the display, such that the usercan employ the touchscreen to signify actuation of a button shown in thedisplay to cause the function associated with such button to beeffected. Scrolling of a large HTML page is provided by actuation of thescroll actuators shown generally at 32 in FIG. 1.

The functionality associated with certain virtual buttons specified byan HTML page may involve the dispatch of uniform resource locators(URLs) to web addresses on the World Wide Web. Referring back Lo FIG. 3,such URLs are received at the web server interface 46 which sends theURL through the Internet gateway interface 44 to the Internet 40 toaccess the identified web site and download an HTML page associated withsuch web site. The HTML page to be downloaded is received at theInternet gateway interface 44 from the Internet 40 and the Internetgateway interface 44 forwards the HTML page to the web server interface46 which forwards the HTML page to the requesting apparatus via theHTML/applet pipe 64.

At the apparatus, the HTML page is received by the custom web browser168 which executes the functionality specified by the downloaded HTMLpage.

Any HTML page provided from an external World Wide Web site or from acontent provider, may include one of the additional HTML commandsreferred to above.

In connection with these commands, the Kiosk:print command is used tocause the printer 31, shown in FIG. 4 to print simple, unformattedstrings.

The Kiosk:quit command provides a vehicle to exit a web-basedapplication or HTML page of a current content provider.

The Kiosk:phone command includes a URL definition which is interpretedby the web browser as d request to dial a telephone number. Thus, forexample, the content provider may present a display with a plurality ofbuttons, resembling an automatic dialler and upon contacting thetouchscreen adjacent one of such buttons, the Kiosk:phone command isinvoked to cause a telephone number to be dialled. Thus, themicroprocessor takes control of the telephone interface, causing thetelephone line to go offhook. A timeout period may then be provided toallow the user time to pick up the handset which, if not picked up, willdirect the microprocessor to terminate the telephone call.

The Kiosk:help command is associated with a URL defining a help windowwithin which there may be a Kiosk:phone command which provides immediateaccess to a help desk operated by the content provider.

The Kiosk:card command directs the web browser to present to the user,display indicia requesting the user to insert a credit card or debitcard to which a purchase of services or merchandise is to be applied.After the card has been read, the web browser calls a result URLpredefined by the content provider. This command is associated withcertain parameters such as a clear parameter indicating whether or notthe vender is to clear the card or whether the operator of the centralserver is to clear the card, a card type parameter which lists cardtypes supported, an amount field identifying the dollar amount of thetransaction, a transaction type to identify a sale or return, a promptoperable to override any default prompt provided by the web browser, anauthorization number for providing an authorization number associatedwith the charge, an operator identification for use with debit cardtransactions and a product information parameter for information such asdelivery address, buyer name, model number, etc.

Card purchases

FIG. 16

Referring to FIG. 16, a card purchase program for allowing a user topurchase a service or goods provided by a content provider is showngenerally at 400. Effectively, the content provider creates an HTMLorder page including a "Kiosk:card" command. When the user requests aservice which allows a user to purchase goods or services, the webbrowser calls the HTML page associated with the related contentprovider. In response to the HTML page, a display purchase menu,specified in the HTML page by the content provider, is displayed asindicated at 402. Within this display, a virtual button associated witha Kiosk:card command is included. If the user actuates the button, block404 detects the issuance of the Kiosk:card command which directs theprocessor to launch a card clearing task 406 shown in FIG. 17.

Card clearing task

FIG. 17

Referring to FIG. 17, the card clearing task begins with block 360 whichdirects the processor to actuate the card reader to identify the type ofcard. Block 362 then directs the processor to a lookup table which isaddressed to determine whether or not the card inserted is supported bythe apparatus. If the card is not supported, block 364 directs theprocessor to reject the card. If the card is supported, however, block366 directs the processor to perform a card format and valid data teston the data read from the card. If the card format or data is not valid,block 368 directs the processor to reject the card.

If the card information is valid, block 370 directs the processor tosend the card data to the central server 26 by way of a message sentthrough the request and reply pipe 68 shown in FIG. 3 to the transactionserver interface 50.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the transaction server then looks up localcard clearing files stored in the database 62 to determine whether ornot the card should be rejected and if, based on these files, the cardshould be rejected, a reply message to this effect is sent back to theapparatus. This reply message is received by the apparatus as indicatedat block 372 and block 374 directs the processor to reject the card. Ifthe server determines that the card should not be rejected, a message tothis effect is sent back to the apparatus where block 376 directs theprocessor to determine, by reference to the HTML page containing suchinformation, whether or not the goods or services presented by thecontent provider for purchase can be purchased or acquired bypre-authorization. In other words, there is a code in the HTML fileindicating whether or not the goods or services sought by the user canbe purchased outright or purchased on the basis of a pre-authorization.

If the goods or services can be obtained by pre-authorization, block 378directs the processor to prepare a request to send to the server toobtain clearance from the credit card service 70. Alternatively, if thegoods or services must be purchased without pre-authorization, block 380directs the processor prepare a request message including the purchaseprice of the goods or services sought by the user and to send therequest message to the server via the request and reply pipe 68. Therequest message is received at the transaction server interface 50 whichqueries the credit card service 70 for validation of the purchase andcard information. If such information is validated by credit cardservice 70, the credit card service issues a reply message to thetransaction server interface 50 which forwards such message via therequest and reply pipe 68 to the requesting apparatus 36.

Block 382 directs the processor to read the reply message to determinewhether or not the card has been accepted by the credit card service. Ifthe card has not been accepted, block 384 directs the processor toreject the card. On the other hand, if the card is accepted, block 386directs the processor to allow the purchase to proceed.

Referring back to FIG. 16, block 408 then directs the processor toadvise the seller of the purchase by sending a message through the HTMLapplet pipe 64 to the web server interface 46 and though the Internetgateway interface 44 to the Internet and to the content provider. Inresponse, the content provider issues a Kiosk:print command, which isreceived via the web server at the requested apparatus and which isinterpreted by the microprocessor as a request to print informationaccompanying the Kiosk:print command at the printer 31. Block 410directs the processor to print a receipt for the transaction justenacted.

Alternatives

As an alternative to suspending the operation of the usage timer whenthe receive data rate is less than the predefined value, an alternativeapparatus includes first timers associated with respective services, thefirst timers being started in response to respective requests for accessto respective services. In addition, the apparatus includes secondtimers associated with each service respectively, the second timersbeing started in response to transmission of special requests toexternal services, such requests being initiated by the respectiveservices. The apparatus then checks each of the second timers todetermine whether or not any of such timers holds a value greater than apredefined value associated with its respective service. Correspondingfirst timers are disabled for each service having a second timer havinga value greater than a predefined value. The first timers are re-enabledwhen the service has received a response to its request. In effect, thisamounts to timing the time taken to receive a response to a request andif the time taken exceeds a predefined value, suspending charging theuser while the data is received. The steps of billing and producing abilling record as described above, are generally the same.

More generally, the apparatus according to the second embodiment recordstimes during which a plurality of respective services are in operationand suspends the recording of such times for each service waiting fordata for a period of time greater than a predetermined time, until thedata is received.

In addition, generally there is a first timer for recording time duringwhich a service is in operation and there is a second timer renderedoperable when the service requests data, the second timer being operableto disable the first timer to suspend the recording of time when thesecond timer acquires a value exceeding a predefined value representingthe time during which the service is waiting for data, in response to arequest for data, and the second timer re-enabling the first timer whenthe data is received.

Each service may have a respective predefined value and thus,effectively, each first timer is suspended in operation or paused,according to its own predefined value.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of theinvention only and not as limiting the invention as construed inaccordance with the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of distributing multimedia services, themethod comprising:transmitting, for receipt by at least one device, amultimedia configuration file for configuring said at least one deviceto present multimedia services to a user; said configuration fileincluding at least one service record associated with a respectivemultimedia service identification code, said multimedia serviceidentification code corresponding to a respective multimedia service;said at least one service record including service identificationinformation and service type information such that when said at leastone device receives a request by a customer for said respectivemultimedia service, said at least one device initiates said respectivemultimedia service as a function of said service identificationinformation and initiates a corresponding service usage task.
 2. Amethod as claimed in claim 1 further comprising transmitting for receiptby said at least one device a multimedia file from an internet provider,for use at said at least one device.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1further comprising transmitting said file to said at least one device bya private network.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprisingtransmitting for receipt by said at least one device a multimediacontent file for providing multimedia content for annunciation at saidat least one device.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 2 furthercomprising transmitting for receipt by said at least one device amultimedia file from an internet provider, for use at said at least onedevice.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising receiving,at a central server, said multimedia file from an internet provider andperforming said transmitting at said central server.
 7. A method asclaimed in claim 5 further comprising maintaining a database of databasefiles including configuration files for various device configurations.8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein maintaining said databasecomprises maintaining in said database at least one of:a) hypertextmarkup language pages for interacting with a browser at said at leastone device; b) programs for execution by said at least one device; c)local credit card information for validating credit cards used at saidat least one device; d) billing information files relating to servicesrendered at said at least one device; and e) statistics files relatingto services rendered at said at least one device.
 9. A method as claimedin claim 1 further comprising maintaining a database of content filesfor providing content for annunciation at said at least one device. 10.A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising including advertisingcontent in said content files.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10further comprising defining respective pipes for communicating hypertextmarkup language (HTML) files and program files, configuration andcontent files, and request and reply messages respectively to and fromsaid at least one device.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising receiving said request messages and transmitting said replymessages at a transaction server at a central server, said transactionserver being in communication with said database.
 13. A method asclaimed in claim 12 further comprising transmitting said configurationand content files from a file server at said central server, said fileserver being in communication with said database.
 14. A method asclaimed in claim 13 further comprising transmitting said HTML files andsaid program files from a web server at said central server, said webserver being in communication with said database.
 15. A method asclaimed in claim 14 further comprising placing said transaction serverin communication with a rating system and a credit card service.
 16. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said at least one service record includesservice rate information such that when said at least one deviceinitiates said corresponding service usage task, said at least onedevice generates a charge amount associated with said respectivemultimedia service as a function of a usage time of said respectivemultimedia service and as a function of said service rate information.17. An apparatus for distributing multimedia services, the apparatuscomprising:a transmitter for transmitting, for receipt by at least onedevice, a multimedia configuration file for configuring said at leastone device to present multimedia services to a user; said configurationfile including at least one service record associated with a respectivemultimedia service identification code, said multimedia serviceidentification code corresponding to a respective multimedia service;said at least one service record including service identificationinformation and service type information such that when said at leastone device receives a request by a customer for said respectivemultimedia service, said at least one device initiates said respectivemultimedia service as a function of said service identificationinformation and initiates a corresponding service usage task.
 18. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said transmitter is operable totransmit for receipt by said at least one device a multimedia file froman internet provider, for use at said at least one device.
 19. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a private network,said transmitter and said at least one device being connected to saidprivate network.
 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein saidtransmitter is operable to transmit for receipt by said at least onedevice a multimedia content file for providing multimedia content forannunciation at said at least one device.
 21. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 20 wherein said transmitter is operable to transmit for receipt bysaid at least one device a multimedia file from an internet provider,for use at said at least one device.
 22. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 21 further comprising a receiver for receiving said multimediafile from an internet provider and for providing said multimedia file tosaid transmitter for transmission to said at least one device.
 23. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising a database ofdatabase files including configuration files for various deviceconfigurations.
 24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 furthercomprising a database of content files for providing content forannunciation at said at least one device.
 25. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 23 wherein said database comprises at least one of:a) hypertextmarkup language (HTML) pages for interacting with a browser at said atleast one device; b) programs for execution by said at least one device;c) local credit card information for validating credit cards used atsaid at least one device; d) billing information files relating toservices rendered at said at least one device; and e) statistics filesrelating to services rendered at said at least one device.
 26. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 25 further comprising respective pipes forcommunicating hypertext markup language (HTML) files and program files,configuration and content files, and request and reply messagesrespectively to and from said at least one device.
 27. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 26 further comprising a transaction server incommunication with said database for receiving said request messages andfor transmitting said reply messages.
 28. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 27 further comprising a file server in communication with saiddatabase for transmitting said configuration and content files.
 29. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 28 further comprising a web server incommunication with said database for transmitting said HTML files andprogram files to said at least one device.
 30. An apparatus as claimedin claim 29 further comprising a rating system and a credit card servicein communication with said transaction server for receiving billing rateinformation and credit card information for use by said at least onedevice.
 31. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said at least one servicerecord includes service rate information such that when said at leastone device initiates said corresponding service usage task, said atleast one device generates a charge amount associated with saidrespective multimedia service as a function of a usage time of saidrespective multimedia service and as a function of said service rateinformation.
 32. A method of providing multimedia services at amultimedia terminal, the method comprising:receiving a configurationfile for configuring said multimedia terminal to provide multimediaservices; said configuration file including at least one service recordassociated with a respective multimedia service identification code,said multimedia service identification code corresponding to arespective multimedia service; said at least one service recordincluding service identification information and service typeinformation; storing, in said multimedia terminals said configurationfile; andinitiating, when a request by a customer for said respectivemultimedia service is received, said respective multimedia service as afunction of said service identification information and initiating acorresponding service usage task.
 33. A method as claimed in claim 32further comprising receiving a content file for providing content forannunciation at said multimedia terminal.
 34. A method as claimed inclaim 33 further comprising producing a display image at said multimediaterminal in response to said content file.
 35. A method as claimed inclaim 34 further comprising automatically producing a display image atsaid multimedia terminal when said multimedia terminal is not in use.36. A method as claimed in claim 34 further comprising automaticallyproducing a display image at said multimedia terminal when a telephoneon said multimedia terminal is in use.
 37. A method as claimed in claim33 further comprising making a web browser available to a user, said webbrowser being operable to transmit uniform resource locators to a webserver located remotely of said multimedia terminal, in response to userselection made at said multimedia terminal and receiving at least onehypertext markup language (HTML) page from said web server in responseto at least one of said uniform resource locators and producing adisplay in response to said HTML page.
 38. A method as claimed in claim37 further comprising producing a display image at said multimediaterminal in response to said content file during an access time betweentransmission of said at least one of said uniform resource locators andproducing said display in response to said HTML page.
 39. The method ofclaim 32 wherein said at least one service record includes service rateinformation said method further comprising: generating, when said atleast one device initiates said corresponding service usage task, acharge amount associated with said respective multimedia service as afunction of a usage time of said respective multimedia service and as afunction of said service rate information.
 40. An apparatus comprising:amultimedia terminal having:a receiver for receiving a configuration filefor configuring said multimedia terminal to provide multimedia services;said configuration file including at least one service record associatedwith a respective multimedia service identification code, saidmultimedia service identification code corresponding to a respectivemultimedia service; said at least one service record including serviceidentification information and service type information; memory forstoring, in said multimedia terminal, said configuration file; and aprocessor for initiating, when a request by a customer for saidrespective multimedia service is received, said respective multimediaservice as a function of said service identification information andinitiating a corresponding service usage task.
 41. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 40 further comprising a configuration program forconfiguring said multimedia terminal according to said configurationfile.
 42. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein said receiver isoperable to receive a content file for providing content forannunciation at said multimedia terminal.
 43. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 42 further comprising a display image program for producing adisplay image at said multimedia terminal in response to said contentfile.
 44. An apparatus as claimed in claim 39 further comprising atelephone on said multimedia terminal.
 45. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 44 wherein said content file comprises a display file and whereinsaid multimedia terminal comprises a telephone idle program forautomatically producing a display image from said display file, at saidmultimedia terminal, when said telephone is in use.
 46. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 42 further comprising an idle program for automaticallyproducing a display image at said multimedia terminal when saidmultimedia terminal is not in use.
 47. An apparatus as claimed in claim46 further comprising a web browser operable to transmit uniformresource locators to a web server located remotely of said multimediaterminal, in response to user selection made at said multimedia terminaland for receiving at least one hypertext markup language (HTML) pagefrom said web server in response to at least one of said uniformresource locators and producing a display in response to said HTML page.48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 47 wherein said idle program isoperable to produce a display image at said multimedia terminal inresponse to said content file during an access time between transmissionof said at least one of said uniform resource locators and production ofsaid display in response to said HTML page.
 49. The apparatus of claim40 wherein said at least one service record includes service rateinformation said processor generating, when said at least one deviceinitiates said corresponding service usage task, a charge amountassociated with said respective multimedia service as a function of ausage time of said respective multimedia service and as a function ofsaid service rate information.
 50. A method of distributing multimediaservices, the method comprising:transmitting from a transmitter to atleast one device a multimedia configuration file for configuring said atleast one device to present multimedia services to a user; saidconfiguration file including at least one service record associated witha respective multimedia service identification code, said multimediaservice identification code corresponding to a respective multimediaservice; said at least one service record including serviceidentification information and service type information; receiving saidconfiguration file at said at least one device; storing in said at leastone device, said configuration file; and initiating when a request by acustomer for said respective multimedia service is received, saidrespective multimedia service as a function of said serviceidentification information and initiating a corresponding service usagetask.
 51. A method as claimed in claim 50 further comprisingtransmitting said configuration file on a private network, to said atleast one device.
 52. A method as claimed in claim 51 further comprisingtransmitting a multimedia content file from at least one of a pluralityof computers on said private network to said transmitter fortransmission to said at least one device.
 53. A method as claimed inclaim 51 further comprising transmitting a database file from at leastone of a plurality of computers on said private network to saidtransmitter, for transmission to said at least one device.
 54. A methodas claimed in claim 53 further comprising transmitting saidconfiguration file from at least one of said computers to saidtransmitter, for transmission to said at least one device.
 55. Themethod of claim 40 wherein said at least one service record includesservice rate information said method further comprising: generating,when said at least one device initiates said corresponding service usagetask, a charge amount associated with said respective multimedia serviceas a function of a usage time of said respective multimedia service andas a function of said service rate information.
 56. An apparatus fordistributing multimedia services, the apparatus comprising:a transmitterfor transmitting a multimedia configuration file; said multimediaconfiguration file including at least one service record associated witha respective multimedia service identification code, said multimediaservice identification code corresponding to a respective multimediaservice; said at least one service record including serviceidentification information and service type information; and amultimedia terminal having:a receiver for receiving said configurationfile from said transmitter; and memory for storing in said multimediaterminal, said configuration file; and a processor for initiating, whena request by a customer for said respective multimedia service isreceived, said respective multimedia service as a function of saidservice identification information and initiating a correspondingservice usage task.
 57. An apparatus as claimed in claim 56 furthercomprising a private network in communication with said transmitter andsaid receiver for communicating messages between said transmitter andsaid receiver.
 58. An apparatus as claimed in claim 57 wherein saidprivate network comprises a plurality of computers in communication witheach other, at least one of said computers having said transmitter. 59.An apparatus as claimed in claim 58 wherein at least one of saidcomputers has database files, and wherein at least one of said databasefiles is operable to be transmitted to said transmitter for transmissionto said multimedia terminal.
 60. An apparatus as claimed in claim 58wherein at least one of said computers has said configuration file andwherein said at least one of said computers transmits said configurationfile to said transmitter for transmission to said multimedia terminal.61. An apparatus as claimed in claim 58 wherein at least one of saidcomputers has a multimedia content file and wherein said at least one ofsaid computers transmits said multimedia content file to saidtransmitter for transmission to said multimedia terminal.
 62. Theapparatus of claim 56 wherein said at least one service record includesservice rate information; said processor generating, when said at leastone device initiates said corresponding service usage task, a chargeamount associated with said respective multimedia service as a functionof a usage time of said respective multimedia service and as a functionof said service rate information.
 63. A method of providing multimediaservices, the method comprising:receiving, from a transmitter, amultimedia configuration file for configuring said at least one deviceto present multimedia services to a user; said configuration fileincluding at least one service record associated with a respectivemultimedia service identification code, said multimedia serviceidentification code corresponding to a respective multimedia service;said at least one service record including service identificationinformation and service type information; storing said configurationfile; and initiating, when a request by a customer for said respectivemultimedia service is received, said respective multimedia service as afunction of said service identification information and initiating acorresponding service usage task.
 64. The method of claim 63 whereinsaid at least one service record includes service rate information saidmethod further comprising: generating, when said at least one deviceinitiates said corresponding service usage task, a charge amountassociated with said respective multimedia service as a function of ausage time of said respective multimedia service and as a function ofsaid service rate information.
 65. A multimedia terminal for providingmultimedia services, the multimedia terminal comprising:a receiver forreceiving a multimedia configuration file; said multimedia configurationfile including at least one service record associated with a respectivemultimedia service identification code, said multimedia serviceidentification code corresponding to a respective multimedia service;said at least one service record including service identificationinformation and service type information; memory for storing saidconfiguration file; and a processor for initiating, when a request by acustomer for said respective multimedia service is received, saidrespective multimedia service as a function of said serviceidentification information and initiating a corresponding service usagetask.
 66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein said at least one servicerecord includes service rate information said processor generating, whensaid at least one device initiates said corresponding service usagetask, a charge amount associated with said respective multimedia serviceas a function of a usage time of said respective multimedia service andas a function of said service rate information.